Steelers Notebook: Colclough gets start at CB, but what does it mean?
Saturday, August 26, 2006

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PHILADELPHIA -- Bryant McFadden played last season as the Steelers' third cornerback in the nickel and dime defenses, and he is listed as Deshea Townsend's backup at right cornerback. Yet, when Townsend was scratched last night because of a broken right thumb, Ricardo Colclough and not McFadden started.

It may not be that Colclough, listed as the backup on the left side to Ike Taylor, moved ahead of McFadden as much as coach Bill Cowher and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau wanted to get a longer look at Colclough. McFadden is entering his second season and Colclough his third; both were second-round draft choices.

"They've been good," said secondary coach Darren Perry. "They've been competing, and I know they're eager to get an opportunity and, in this league, a lot of jobs are gotten that way."

Colclough was beaten on a 61-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter last night from Jeff Garcia to Greg Lewis.

A touch of Hollywood

The pregame looked like a premier. Vince Papale was everywhere. The movie "Invincible," based on Papale's three years with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1970s, opened last night. His former coach, Dick Vermeil, and many of the Eagles from that era attended. A Steelers player from the '70s also attend the game -- Hall of Famer Lynn Swann, the Republican candidate for governor. Gov. Ed Rendell, a lifelong Eagles fan who also has done a postgame TV show in Philadelphia on the Eagles, did not attend the game.

No-huddle offense update

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger expects to run the no-huddle offense more often this season than he did the previous two, but it is not something new to him. At Miami (Ohio) University, Roethlisberger ran the no-huddle often.

"We did a lot of that," he said. "That's something we did. We played real fast, with a lot of hand signals."

The Steelers used the no-huddle for the second consecutive game last night, but waited until their second series this time. Roethlisberger played only two series, and Charlie Batch also used some of the no-huddle.

Roethlisberger is eager to do it more often with the Steelers this season for one big reason.

"I think it makes you better. Look at Cincinnati's offense -- not Indy's offense as much, but Cincinnati. Any time as a quarterback you can change the pace of the game and read it off the defense, it makes it so much tougher on the defense because now you're running plays that are best suited against certain defenses.

"When you're calling them at the line of scrimmage, usually you're getting yourself into the best play possible."

Duce not delivering

Halfback Willie Parker played just one series, then bowed out for the rest of the night. Duce Staley replaced him on the second series.

The Steelers have been disappointed in Staley this summer. He did not report to training camp in the kind of shape they hoped he would, and he lost a chance to take over the role Jerome Bettis held the past two years as the goal-line halfback. Cowher said Wednesday that he likely would stay with Parker on the goal line.

"Duce is working himself back into running shape," Cowher said as the team's 31/2-week training camp came to an end.

Staley ran six times for 18 yards in the first half. On their first offensive series of the second half, the Steelers pitched him the ball wide to the right on fourth-and-1 at the Eagles' 36 and he lost 3. He had 11 carries for 21 yards for the game.

Quick hits

The previous time the Steelers had a losing exhibition record was 2003, when they went 1-3 in the preseason and 6-10 in the regular season. They previously went winless in the preseason in 1987 (0-4), the only time in the past 40 years they have not won at least one preseason game. They were 0-5 in 1965. ... Willie Reid was the lone deep man on punt returns for the game and appears to have won the job over fellow rookie Santonio Holmes. "I like Willie," Cowher said. "I think he's real close. ... I think he'll be fine." The Steelers did not use two deep as they had in their second game. ... Cowher was happy, finally, with his defense's performance on third downs (4 of 13 conversions). ... Guard Kendall Simmons moved to center on the third series, and Chris Kemoeatu played guard.

clevestinks

08-26-2006, 06:23 AM

I wasnt impressed overall with Coc. I hope the best is yet to come.

Stlrs4Life

08-26-2006, 04:13 PM

If last nights play was any indication of Rico, we are in trouble. He seems to have lost it from his rookie season.

Midnightwriter07

08-26-2006, 04:28 PM

I thought his showing would be a little better as well.. I cant see Mcfadden lookin any worse and I am convinced that Colclough may be best suited as a nickle or dime back... As i have said, next years draft should be CB CB CB for the first 3 rounds.. we can pick up a capable RB in free agency ( we still might ) this year after 700 or so players cut released or cut. But it is a position we need to do some upgrading on in all aspects.

19ward86

08-26-2006, 04:40 PM

i had hopes for him but he is just another waiste for a 2nd round pick. go mcfadden

TasmanianTroy271

08-26-2006, 05:53 PM

As i have said, next years draft should be CB CB CB for the first 3 rounds..

Somehow I doubt the draft will go like that... lol

Midnightwriter07

08-26-2006, 06:22 PM

i know , a little bit of sarcasm there... but we being set at most positions ... it looks to me like CB will be a big priority for us next year with or without the signing of Ike.

Haiku_Dirtt

08-26-2006, 08:18 PM

My only knock on McFadden in regular season games is that he would give up the short yardage play a little to easily at times. That means he isn't getting burned deep.

BlackNGold203

08-26-2006, 08:20 PM

My only knock on McFadden in regular season games is that he would give up the short yardage play a little to easily at times. That means he isn't getting burned deep.

man..did Coclough get toasted last night or what???

Haiku_Dirtt

08-26-2006, 08:53 PM

man..did Coclough get toasted last night or what???

I thought that play would never end.

BlackNGold203

08-26-2006, 09:24 PM

I thought that play would never end.

I love how Al Michaels pronounces his name on madden 07..."cold-cough"

LMAO....:cool: :cool:

HometownGal

08-26-2006, 09:43 PM

I wasnt impressed overall with Coc. I hope the best is yet to come.

You took the words right out of my mouth, but he's young and pretty much still in the learning process. Hopefully, LeBeau and his peers will be able to fine tune him.